Cut Fabrics

Foundation-Piecing Alternative

For precise seams in blocks as small as these, some quilters prefer paper piecing instead of a traditional method. Click on "Download this Project" if you would like the Flying Geese Foundation Pattern to paper-piece the Flying Geese units in this quilt.

Cut pieces in the following order. Instructions are for a single-fold binding of 1-1/8"-wide strips. If you wish to use a double-fold binding, increase the blue print amount to 1/2 yard and cut 2-1/2"-wide strips.

From blue check, cut:
9—2" sashing squares
64—1-5/8" squares

From solid cream, cut:
16—2-3/4" squares
64—1-1/4" squares

From pink check, cut:
4—3-1/2" squares
16—2" squares

From green print, cut:
4—5-3/4" squares, cutting each diagonally twice in an X for 16 setting triangles total
4—3-1/2" setting square
8—3-1/4" squares, cutting each in half diagonally for 16 corner triangles total

Assemble Flying Geese Units

1. Use a pencil to draw a diagonal line on wrong side of each blue check 1-5/8" square.

2. Referring to Diagram 1, align two marked blue check squares with opposite corners of a solid cream 2-3/4" square. Sew a scant 1/4" from drawn lines on both sides of lines. Cut apart on drawn lines to make two triangle units (Diagram 2). Press seams toward small triangles.

3. Referring to Diagram 3, align a marked blue check square with solid cream corner of a triangle unit. Sew a scant 1/4" from drawn line on both sides of line. Cut apart on drawn line (Diagram 4). Press seams toward small triangles to make two Flying Geese units. Repeat with remaining triangle unit to make two additional Flying Geese units. Each Flying Geese unit should be 2x1-1/4" including seam allowances.

Assemble Blocks

1. Referring to Diagram 5, lay out four Flying Geese units, four solid cream 1-1/4" squares, and one pink check 2" square in three rows.

2. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams toward squares in each row. Join rows to make a Sawtooth Star block. The block should be 3-1/2" square including seam allowances.

3. To reduce bulk, clip through both layers of seam allowances up to seam lines 1/4" on each side of seam intersections (clips will be 1/2" apart). Press Flying Geese seam allowances toward pink check and solid cream squares. Press clipped intersections open to create a tiny Four-Patch on the block’s wrong side (Diagram 6).